Funeral Cremation Urns

Answers to Practical Questions

Funeral Cremation urns are an age-old tradition that is the subject of a wide variety of common questions, from the practical to the curious and even to the mysterious. It is not uncommon for one to feel overwhelmed when it comes to picking 'the right' urn, especially with the vast amount of options on the market today. Being well informed as to what type of urn one will need can often provide a great place to start, and lead an individual to browse their options with ease. Below are some answers to a sampling of a few of the most typical questions asked of urn experts.

How can I know what size urn I will need?

The memorial industry’s rule of thumb on this question is that you need one cubic inch of urn space for each pound a person weighs. So, ashes for, say, a 200 pound person can be reasonably assumed to fit in a 200 cubic inch urn. The rule of thumb, in fact, is usually bit conservative, so the ashes for someone even a little heavier than 200 pounds would likely still fit into a 200 cubic inch urn. It should be noted, however, that the amount of ashes produced in cremation can vary according to variety of factors. So, for most precise results, you may want to wait until after the ashes are available to select an urn. In general, though, the rule of thumb is very reliable.

What urn types are best suited for burial?

In general the memorial industry recommends stone or metal (i.e.: bronze or stainless steel) if a funeral urn is to be buried directly. Other materials (such as glass, brass, or ceramic) will typically not withstand the test of time underground as well as marble or steel will. If the cremation funeral cremation urn is to be placed inside a vault before burial, however, then any urn is suitable.

On the other hand, some families may have their loved one interred in a 'green' burial park, in which only biodegradable ash vessels can be placed. This is because these urns are made of materials that will eventually break down in the earth, overtime, and will have little to no effect on the environment. This goes to show that when it comes to selection, there is really no 'right' or 'wrong' urn. For the most part, the type of urn that one may need depends on their taste and the purpose it is intended to serve.

Curious questions:

What are the most popular types of cremation urns today?

The sky is the limit when it comes to choosing a cremation urn, and it is almost impossible to say that some types of cremation urns are more popular than others. In general, though, price seems to be a significant factor in funeral urns popularity, with the least expensive urns typically selling the most. That said, funeral cremation urns at prices of $1,000 or more are still quite popular sellers.

Why is there such a big price difference between certain urns?

Often, families are astounded by the range in prices seen in regards to cremation urns. Some urns that are made to accommodate the remains of an adult can be a quarter of the price of a small keepsake urn meant to hold a fraction of the remains. To answer this question, one must consider the urns themselves, and more so, the process used to make the urn. Some urns are made of rare or precious materials, such as onyx or bronze, and often these will cost a bit more than urns made of native wood (such as walnut or oak) or even brass. On the other hand, some urns are nothing short of works of art, created by hand by an artist - which will obviously be more limited in availability than urns that are massed produced - and that is often reflected in the price. For the most part, it is recommended to distinguish the type of urn needed and set a budget for the amount one is willing to spend on an urn - and stick to it! Don't feel pressured to purchase a more expensive urn simply because it is more expensive. Additionally, don't feel the need to pick something that is not right to represent the lost individual simply because it costs a few dollars less than an urn that may suite them better. Once one sets a budget they can work within, it is just a matter of picking an urn based on taste and preference.

How popular is cremation, in general, today?

In general in the United States cremation is quickly becoming more popular than traditional burials. The cremation rate across the country is still less than 50 percent overall, but, in many local areas, it is more than 80 percent. And industry experts predict that cremation will take place in more than 60 percent of deaths in the United States by 2025.